Town Still Enjoys Reputation As A Speed Trap

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea has long had the reputation as a community where police officers were quite eager to issue speeding tickets.

So much so, in fact, that there`s a joke going around these days about directions to the small, seaside resort.

Tourist: ``Pardon me, but how do you get to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea?``

Native: ``Just head east on Commercial Boulevard and when you get a speeding ticket, you`ll know you`re there.``

Police Chief Joseph Fitzgerald said the speed trap reputation, which he doesn`t think is bad to have, began in the 1970s. Back then, he said, police had little else to do but enforce traffic laws.

In recent years, however, rising crime has caused a decline in the number of speeding and parking tickets written by officers.

This year, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea earned $135,000 in ticket revenue, down from $175,000 in 1987, the chief reported.

In its heyday, Fitzgerald said, the town earned as much as $250,000 annually.

``At one time we were going to go on the public stock exchange,`` Fitzgerald said.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Even though the Fort Lauderdale City Commission didn`t attend, city management employees participated in SimSoc.

An intensive training seminar used by community leaders across the country, SimSoc is an acronym for Simulated Society.

Well, it seems police Maj. Ed White was managing editor of the seminar`s newspaper, and it came under criticism for not being 100 percent accurate.

``There were some people that didn`t agree with some of the things we wrote, but that was mostly a difference of opinion,`` said White, a Police Department veteran.

Having dealt with reporters over the years, White understands how the journalism process works, and how errors sometimes find their way into print.

``If you don`t quote me accurately, I`m going to call you,`` he said.

COMING SOON

The Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum will display an unusual exhibit next year about a most unpleasant household chore: ironing.

The show, on display from Jan. 7 through April 16, will feature numerous rare and antique irons, including a mid-19th century wooden iron.

The exhibit, believe it or not, is titled, ``Hot and Heavy.``

FAME

Oakland Park`s recycling program is barely 3 months old, but it is gaining a national reputation.

In addition to dozens of calls from Florida cities, Wisconsin and Indiana officials recently visited Oakland Park to see the program.

Assistant City Manager David Ritz, the city`s recycling guru, said a New York City official was also scheduled to drop by this week.

Ritz is somewhat surprised by all the attention, since dozens of California cities have recycled for years.

Oakland Park started to recycle in October.

``I was surprised as could be to receive a call from New York City,`` Ritz said. ``But the official`s from Fort Lauderdale and he`s visiting his folks. When people are in the area, they swing by to see what we`re doing.

``They`ve all heard of us, one way or another.``

FAT CHANCE

Unsuccessful Fort Lauderdale City Commission candidate Cary Keno received a proclamation from Mayor Bob Cox after ing his appointment to the Community Appearances Board.

Unfortunately for Keno, the proclamation acknowledged his appointment to the Community Services Board.

Keno was impressed by the package he received, which included a certificate, a letter from the mayor and a silk tie bearing the city`s logo.